Belt-fastener



W. L. KINSLEY. BELT PASTENBR.

(No Model.)

N0. 434,636. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

C/Zz'f 17 655 @s Jwam,

f UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM LYON KINSLEY, OF LOWELL, VERMONT.

BELT-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent-No. 434,636, dated August 19, 1890.

Application filed December 16, 1889 Serial No, 333,920. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LYON KINS- LEY, a citizen of the United States, residing I and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. I

My invention has relation to belt-fasteners; and it consists in the improved construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully pointed out, whereby I provide a device of this character combining both lightness and durability, together with the effectiveness of operation, and, furthermore, a construction whereby the clamping-plates employed by me in connection with the couplinglink are retained securely in place. In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved belt-fastener, showing the ends of the belt secured therein. Fig. 2 is a perspective detail view of one of the clamping-plates. Fig. 8 is a detail view of the coupling-link used in conjunction with the clamping-plates. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of my irnproved fastener with the ends of the belt removed therefrom, andFig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line ce Qc, Fig. l.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the letterA indicates the coupling-link, of wrought-iron or other suitable material, rectangular in shape and provided with end pieces a. a and a transverse central strengthening-piece af. The side pieces of this link are provided upon their inner edges with inwardly-extendingA lugs or projections a2, arranged at suitable intervals apart.

The letters B B indicate two homogeneous clamping-plates, said plates being S-shaped in cross-section and provided at their upper edges with lateral inwardly-extending teeth b, and also having their ends provided with horizontal notches b', which are designed to engage the end pieces of the link .when the plates are adj usted between the same. These plates are further provided with a series of apertures b2, preferably rectangular in shape and adapted to receivethe correspondinglyshaped lugs or projections ce2 of the link. In

this manner, and in conjunction with the end horizontal notches, the clamping-plates are securely retained in position.

In order to eect the insertion of the plates within the link, it is necessary to provide the same with central vertical notches b3 b3, into which fit the transverse central strengthening-piece of the link.

In operating my improved belt-fastener I first form slots in the ends of the belt desired to be connected together to correspond with the width of the transverse strengthening-piece of the link. I then, after first inserting the clamping-plates within the coupling-lin k, pass the ends of the belt through from the under side of the fastener, the ends thereof projecting above the top of the clamping-plates. It is now only necessary that a slight force be exerted upon the belt proper. The projecting ends of the belt are then cut off within a short distance of the clamping-plates, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings. It Will be readily observed that the greater the strain exerted upon the belt the tighter will be the bindv ing thereof, as the outward pressure upon the curved bottom of the clamping-plates necessarily produces an inward pressure of the upper edges of said plates. It is also obvious that by this construction of belt-fasteners, I am enabled to secure the ends of the belt instantly, and thus save considerable time in adjustment, which has heretofore been found a difficulty in devices -for analon gous purposes. j

An important advantage of my device is the security with which the clamping-plates are held in position within the link, the apertures in said plates, in connection with the lugs or projections firmly holding the sides thereof, while the end horizontal notches engage the end pieces of the link, firmly supporting the end portions of the plates. It is of course preferable that the inwardly-extending lugs only extend flush with the inner edge of the apertures which they engage, so as to obviate any danger of the ends thereof IOO coming in contact with the belt and puncturing or injuring the same.

The end horizontal notches above referred to not only serve as supports for the plates when the belt is adjusted between the same, but, furthermore, when the belt is removed the plates are still retained in position through the medium of these notches, as Well as the inwardlyprojeeting lugs.

In devices of this character as heretofore constructed no means have been shown for holding the plates in position after the ends of the belt have been removed, and said plates are free to fall, occasioning considerable trouble and annoyance. By the construction employed by lne,.however, this diiiiculty is obviated, and if it is found desirable for any reason to remove the plates al1 that is necessary to be done is simply to adjust them to van oblique position with reference to the link,

so that the ends of the plates will be in the corners or angles of said link. In this position they may be readily removed.

It is obvious that, if preferred, the upper toothed or serrated edges of the plates may be dispensed with, as the concave formation of the upper part of the plates is sufficient to hold the ends of the belt from slipping.

My invention, furthermore, is exceedingly simple in construction and little liable to breakage, owing to the severe tension of the belt exerted upon the clamping-plates, which in turn bear upon the side pieces of the link, the latter being strengthened by the central transverse strip.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a belt-fastener, the combinatiomwvith clamping-plates substantially S-shaped in cross-section, whose clam pi ng edges are roughcned or serrated and adapted to receive the 2. In a belt-fastener, the combination, with a coupling-link provided with a series of inwardly-extending lugs or projections and a central strengthening-piece or cross-bar, of clamping-plates inserted between the sides of the link, said plates being substantially S-shaped in cross-section and provided with central notches, into which fit the central strengthening-piece, and also provided near their upper convex edges with a series of apertures adapted to receive the inwardly-extending lugs or projections, substantially as set forth.

3. In a belt-fastener, the combination, with the herein-described coupling-link provided with a transverse strengthening-strip, of clamping-plates substantially S-shaped in cross-section, provided at their upper edges with'lateral inwardly-extending teeth, and also provided with vertical notches for the reception of said strengthening-piece, and having end horizontal notches to receive the end pieces of the coupling and support the plates in position within the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

7WILLIAM LYON KINSLEY.

Witnesses:

ELBRIDGE. SAWYER, FRED J. SMITH. 

